Srinagar, May 15 (PTI) National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah on Friday questioned the delay in restoring the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Centre to honour its commitments to the people of the Union territory.
While addressing a gathering at Anantnag in south Kashmir, he said, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have waited long enough. The promises made to them must now translate into action.” He questioned the “continued delay” in restoring statehood despite repeated assurances given before Parliament and the Supreme Court that it would be reinstated soon after the elections.
The former chief minister said the 2018-2024 phase in Jammu and Kashmir proved that bureaucratic administration can never substitute a democratically elected government “that remains deeply connected with the aspirations, emotions and day-to-day concerns of the people”.
He said the people of the Union territory have decisively expressed their will through the ballot, and their democratic mandate must be respected without delay.
“New Delhi must immediately restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and return complete powers to the elected government so that governance becomes more responsive, accountable, and people-centric,” he added.
The NC chief said elected representatives are fully aware of the geographical realities, local challenges and developmental needs of their respective areas because they remain in constant touch with the people at the grassroots level.
“A representative government listens, responds and acts according to the aspirations of the people, whereas bureaucratic systems often remain distant from public sentiment and ground realities,” he said.
He said, despite “numerous challenges and constraints”, the present NC government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has remained steadfast in its commitment towards public welfare and pro-people governance.
NC legislators continue to stay among the people, share their concerns, listen to their grievances and actively pursue solutions to their problems, he said. PTI SSB APL APL
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